Clarke Honors Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

Clarke University presented its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards at the annual Alumni Recognition Lunch on Saturday, Sept. 24, during the university’s Homecoming Weekend. The 2011 award recipients are:

Jeanne Powers Quann ’66
2011 Humanitarian Service Award Recipient

Jeanne Quann is a beacon of volunteerism in the Dubuque area. She has been an ardent supporter of Clarke, as well as countless other organizations and efforts including the Holy Family Catholic Schools, the Dubuque Museum of Art, New Melleray Abbey and, most recently, fundraising for Lance Cpl. Chris Billmyer, a local Marine wounded in Afghanistan. If there is a worthy cause that needs help, chances are good that she’s been involved with it. Today, her list of volunteer activities spans pages and pages. On January 1 of this past year, Jeanne was named the Telegraph Herald First Citizen recognizing outstanding community leadership and service. She credits the BVM influence at Clarke as helping develop her into the person she is today. In addition to her volunteerism, Jeanne is known for being a loving wife to her husband Brendan, who serves on the Clarke Board of Trustees, mother to their five children (Philip, Jim, Courtney, Maureen, a 1997 Clarke graduate, and Mary Kathleen) and grandmother to two grandchildren.

Joan Lingen ’61, BVM, Ph.D.
2011 Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient

Sister Joan Lingen can certainly call Clarke University a home. She has served in various roles on campus for the past 44 years and has been instrumental to the university’s progress during that time. She currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs, a position she has held for the past eight years. In this role, she has overseen the growth of Clarke’s undergraduate and graduate offerings, and has led the institution through a successful accreditation self-study and visit. An art historian by education, Joan was previously chair and professor of art at Clarke. Throughout this time, she has also been dedicated to her congregation, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Outside of Clarke and her congregation, Joan has shared her expertise through a number of community organizations, including five years on the Board of Directors for the Dubuque Art Association; 10 years on the Archdiocese of Dubuque’s Church Design and Renovation Commission and six years on its Art and Environment Committee. In addition to her degree from Clarke, she holds a master of arts degree in art history from the University of Colorado, a master of arts degree in anthropological archaeology from Arizona State University, and a Ph.D. in Pre-Columbian Art History from the University of New Mexico.

Suzanne Diers Blouin ’67
2011 Presidential Alumni Appreciation Award Recipient

Suzanne Diers Blouin ’67 is the first recipient of a Presidential Alumni Appreciation Award for her outstanding service to Clarke. A loyal Clarke alumna, she has been a member of the Clarke Board of Trustees since 1987 providing significant expertise and counsel in several areas, especially finance. Suzanne had a long, varied career both professionally and in a lifetime of volunteer service. For 15 years, she served as business manager of Hawkeye Area Community Action Agencies, covering six counties in east central Iowa. She was also on the Governor of Iowa’s staff for five years, serving as director of gubernatorial appointments, and was later the pastoral administrator for St. Patrick’s/St. Mary’s Churches in Dubuque. Suzanne and her husband Mike are the parents of twin daughters, Lisa and Amy.